Today we headed out for a little culture and visited the Chen Family Temple. It is beautiful Cantonese style architecture, composed of six courtyards, nine main halls and nineteen buildings. It was built between 1890-1894 and the original function was to pay tribute the Chen’s ancestors, later, it was used as an academy.

Visiting the Chen Family Temple 9 years ago

It is now the Guangdong Folk Art Museum. Walking in the temple you see a lot if folk art and handicrafts, including enameling, embroidery, porcelain, lacquer work, paper cutting, watercolor and exquisite carvings. My personal favorite is watching the same local artist that was here 9 years ago create beautiful art work and scenes by using ink on the palm and side of his hand and fingers. It’s such a beautiful art to witness. Jim picked out a scene we purchased and Zoe chose a bookmark.

We headed out and on the way some decided to try the sugarcane juice being sold on the corner. I wasn’t taking any chances. No stomach issues so far and I don’t want to risk it unnecessarily 🙂

We loaded up in the van and headed over to LuiHua Lake Park. We visited here with Samuel 9 years ago on a free day and had sweet memories so we requested a return visit. Right as we entered the park a group of ladies were being taught a dance class. Our crew eagerly joined them in what turned out to be a salsa style dance. They all had fun and I got some great video 🙂

We strolled through the park enjoying the beautiful gardens and shade. It’s HOT!!! I don’t ever remember sweating like I have here, literally being sopping wet. Carrying this big back pack doesn’t help. We enjoyed several other musicians throughout the park as well and a karaoke like set up under a tree where local musicians and singers took turns creating beautiful music together. We made it to the area of the park where they rent small boats and Samuel and I got in one and Sk got luckily enough to set sail with JC and Jim. The rest chose to hang out at the ping pong table and outdoor gym area. It was a fun 30 minutes slowly cruising the lake and trying to stay clear of JC who thought we were in bumper boats. After our ride we tried out the exercise equipment before making our way to the oak exit. On the way we passed a playground and small amusement park area. In an area surrounded by high rise after high rise it was an enjoyable time outside enjoying some beautiful scenery!

We returned to the hotel around lunch, had food in the room and then I took Jim and Samuel to the pool while John ventured out with SK and JC in search of a Nike store with a Chinese soccer jersey ( and tried fried octopus)…. ..John understands their love of soccer and jerseys. He plays soccer here and wears a jersey every day! A match made in heaven.

Riding 9 years ago with my sweet Samuel

Zoe and Elizabeth completed their ice water challenge, which was quite complicated due to ice being a rarity here in China. Can’t exactly run to the ice machine by the elevator. They eventually got room service to deliver some to the room and their mission was successfully completed. they worked on some school work and then eventually we all gathered around the pool annoying the breeze and fresh air.

Trying fried octopus

John returned around 5:30 to take us to one of his local favorite Cantonese restaurants. On the way we had to cross about 6 lanes of traffic. It has striped lines like a cross walk but clearly here you do not yield to pedestrians. There was no traffic light and it was a little frightening running across as such a large group. Thankfully we made it and enjoyed the safely of the sidewalk. We had a good laugh at Zoe as she tried to figure out this advertisement on the side of the building 🙂 She said “ what is she doing?” thinking it was a pregnant woman’s belly. She always provides us with comedic relief. Cole also had a minute of confusion figuring it out.

We were a little unsure as we entered the restaurant with few diners and were taken to a table upstairs. We took John’s recommendations and ordered family style and everything he suggested was fabulous and was devoured by someone at the table……with the exception of milk tea. Even the pickiest of eaters were happy with the broccoli, spicy green beans, kung pow chicken, BBQ pork, etc. There were several photos of menu items I was thankful he did not suggest.

We enjoyed a leisurely walk back including an impromptu dance party watching a street corner dancer jamming out to Michael Jackson. We made it safely back to the hotel and called it a day.